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Constitutional Law-Ninth Circuit Characterizes Taser as “Intermediate” Level of Force Requiring Justification of Strong Governmental Interest-Bryan v. MacPherson, 630 F.3d 805 (9th Cir. 2010)

When analyzing a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 that a law enforcement officer used excessive force during the course of a seizure, courts typically use the objective reasonableness standard of the Fourth Amendment.  In Bryan v. MacPherson, the Court of Appeals for the...

Copyright Law-Seventh Circuit Holds Product Photography Sufficiently Creative for Copyright as Derivative Works-Schrock v. Learning Curve Int’l, Inc., 586 F.3d 513 (7th Cir. 2009)

Originality stands as both a constitutional and statutory prerequisite for copyright protection.  Nevertheless, the absence of a clear definition of copyright originality in the Copyright Act and in judicial application has lead to uncertainty regarding the meaning of...

Constitutional Law—Seventh Circuit Applies Ex parte Young Doctrine to Allow State Agency’s Action Against State Officials-Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services v. Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, 603 F.3d 365 (7th Cir. 2010)

Article VI of the Constitution establishes the supremacy of federal law over the states, while the Eleventh Amendment grants the states immunity from suit without their consent.  The incompatibility of these provisions becomes apparent, however, when a defendant state...